Three Alberta MLAs will travel to Chicago to promote the province’s trade, agriculture and energy priorities during a national gathering of U.S. state legislators.

Angela Pitt, MLA for Airdrie-East, Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock, and Chelsae Petrovic, MLA for Livingstone-Macleod, will attend the 2026 National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit from July 25 to 30.

The conference will bring together state legislators and government officials from across the United States.

The Alberta delegation is expected to advocate for barrier-free trade, secure supply chains, economic corridors and the province’s role in North American energy security.

Van Dijken will participate in a meeting of the organization’s Agriculture Task Force, where he will promote Alberta’s agricultural trade interests and discuss rural development.

He said agricultural trade between Canada and the United States helps provide consumers in both countries with safe, affordable and reliable food.

“Alberta and the United States benefit from a long history of agricultural trade and co-operation,” van Dijken said in a government statement.

He said Alberta will continue advocating for open markets, reliable supply chains and thriving rural communities.

Pitt will participate in policy meetings through the International Legislative Advisory Council, which provides opportunities for Canadian and American legislators to exchange ideas and discuss policy initiatives.

“Strong relationships with our U.S. partners create opportunities for Albertans and Americans alike,” Pitt said.

She said the conference provides another opportunity to advance shared priorities supporting economic growth, investment and long-term prosperity.

Petrovic will attend conference sessions and networking events intended to strengthen relationships with U.S. state-level decision-makers.

“Collaboration between Alberta and U.S. states is key to advancing our shared economic and energy interests,” Petrovic said.

She described Alberta as a reliable trade partner and an important contributor to North American energy security.

The United States remained Alberta’s largest export market in 2025, receiving $152 billion in provincial exports, or 85.7 per cent of Alberta’s total exports.

Energy products accounted for about $125 billion, or 82.3 per cent, of Alberta’s exports to the United States. Major exports included crude oil, petroleum gases and beef.

The United States was also Alberta’s largest agri-food export market, with exports valued at $8.7 billion in 2025.